Winnie Yu

Looking to switch up your beverages as the seasons change? Make sure there's some tea in your repertoire.

Green tea has been linked to lower cholesterol and blood pressure; now, new research from the University Medical Center in Utrecht, Netherlands, shows that drinking 3 to 6 cups of tea a day reduces the risk for heart-related ailments.

Tea may also protect your teeth by inhibiting the bacteria that causes cavities, says Andrea Giancoli, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. A Japanese study that appeared in the journal Preventive Medicine in 2010 found that people who drank the most green tea every day were less likely to experience tooth loss.

Are these powerful health benefits limited to green tea? No, say the experts, although most of this research focuses on green and black teas.

The difference between the two is that black teas are oxidized for four hours after processing, and green teas are not. Both are good for you, however: They're chockfull of polyphenols, a class of antioxidants that contains cancer-inhibiting compounds called catechins. (Green tea, in particular, ranks above red bell peppers and sweet potatoes in antioxidant power.)

Not into green or black but still want maximum antioxidants? Skip herbal teas and stick to white and oolong, which come from the same plant as green and black (Camellia sinsensis), recommends Giancoli. Whatever tea you choose, savor your sips -- you're doing your body good.

Winnie Yu is a freelance writer who frequently writes about health and nutrition. Her latest book is What to Eat for What Ails You: How to Treat Illnesses by Changing the Food and Vitamins in Your Diet.

 

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